Automotive Engineering University Abroad: Oxford Brookes in 2026
Oxford Brookes University trains engineers who now work at Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin F1, and BMW. This is no coincidence: the university is located in Oxford, the gateway to the UK's Motorsport Valley, the world's largest automotive technology hub, home to Silverstone and the headquarters of leading Formula 1 teams. For international students looking to build a real career in the automotive industry, this is one of the most strategic locations available.
What makes Oxford Brookes relevant for automotive engineering?
The university was ranked 6th in the THE Young University Rankings 2024, among institutions under 50 years old worldwide. More than just its ranking, what places Oxford Brookes on the radar of car manufacturers and F1 teams is its physical and curricular proximity to the industry.
Every Formula 1 team currently competing has at least one Oxford Brookes graduate on its technical staff. Oxford Brookes Racing (OBR), the university's Formula Student team founded in 1999, finished 2025 in 3rd place among 59 teams in the electric championship and 2nd place among 26 teams in the international autonomous championship. It is within this team that students apply what they learn in class before entering the job market.
The Headington Hill campus, opening in January 2025, houses state-of-the-art laboratories: a VR cave for simulation, a materials science lab, a composite lab, an autodynamics workshop, and a wind tunnel. Students begin their first year with access to infrastructure that many European universities don't even have at postgraduate level.
To understand how this training environment connects to opportunities beyond the classroom, the motorsport exchange program covers complementary programs that young people interested in the sector often combine with their undergraduate studies.
What automotive engineering courses does Oxford Brookes offer?
Programs are divided into two levels: undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG). The choice depends on the student's current stage in their academic journey.
Undergraduate Programs (BEng / MEng)
The Engineering Foundation is the entry point for students who do not yet have the A-levels directly required for the BEng. The university pathway program prepares students to enter this route in a structured way.
Postgraduate Programs (MSc)
All undergraduate and postgraduate courses carry accreditation from IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) and IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology), the two main professional certification bodies in the UK for engineers.
Where do Oxford Brookes graduates work?
In 2024, Oxford Brookes recorded 62 industrial placements, the highest number in the university's history. Two students were hired by Aston Martin F1 during their placement, without needing to wait for course completion.
Employers who regularly hire graduates include:
- Ferrari
- Williams Advanced Engineering
- Aston Martin F1
- McLaren Automotive
- Porsche and Tuthill Porsche
- BMW and Jaguar Land Rover
According to HESA (Higher Education Statistics Agency) data, published on May 31, 2024, the average starting salary for Oxford Brookes undergraduate engineering graduates is £30,000 per year. The estimated cost of living for students in the UK, as per UKVI, is £1,136 per month.
The job market for engineers abroad shows that international education in an industrial hub like Motorsport Valley has a direct return on employability.
How does admission for international students work?
The admission process goes through UCAS, the centralized application system for UK universities. Applicants for the Engineering Foundation need qualifications equivalent to a completed high school education. For the BEng, the typical requirement includes grades in mathematics and physics. The MEng requires additional qualifications and is usually completed in 4 years.
For those who do not yet have the complete profile for direct application, the overseas university program from Be Easy structures the entire journey, from course selection to application submission.
As an officially verified representative of Oxford Brookes, Be Easy guides students through each step: documentation, personal statement, academic transcripts, and English language requirements. There is no generic process, as each applicant has a unique profile.
Is Oxford Brookes the only motorsport university in the UK?
No. Cranfield University and Loughborough University also offer programs in motorsport engineering. Oxford Brookes stands out due to its combination of location in Oxford, direct access to Motorsport Valley via Silverstone, and a history of direct placements with F1 teams.
The decision between the three universities depends on your academic profile, English proficiency, and career goals. A dedicated senior consultant can help map out which path makes the most sense for each student before any application.
To understand how young people interested in motorsport build this career path from an early age, visit our page on Be Easy's motorsport programs which compiles pre-university training programs.
Frequently asked questions about automotive engineering universities abroad
Does Oxford Brookes accept applicants without A-levels?
Yes. The Engineering Foundation Year was created for international students who have completed high school but do not have A-levels. Upon successful completion of the Foundation year, students gain direct entry into the BEng program.
What is the difference between BEng and MEng at Oxford Brookes?
The BEng is a 3-year program and awards a bachelor's degree. The MEng is 4 years long and includes an additional year of integrated project work, leading to an integrated master's qualification, recognized by the IMechE for registration as a senior engineer.
Is IELTS or TOEFL required for English proficiency?
Oxford Brookes accepts IELTS Academic (with a minimum score that varies by course, generally 6.0 to 6.5) and other recognized certifications. The required level is confirmed during the application process.
Are the MSc programs in-person or online?
All MSc programs listed in this article are in-person on the Oxford campus. Contact with laboratories and with OBR (Oxford Brookes Racing) is part of the curriculum.
Does Be Easy help with student visas for the UK?
Yes. Be Easy offers full support for the student visa process, from document collection to preparation for the consular interview when necessary.
Be Easy: Boutique Study Abroad Consultancy
Be Easy is an official verified representative of Oxford Brookes University and supports international students who want to build a solid career path in automotive engineering in the UK. Our curation covers everything from the Foundation Year to MSc programs, with a complete profile assessment, English language requirements, and application process. To speak with a dedicated senior consultant and understand which path makes sense for your project, contact us.
